Hi. My son has a tenor horn which sounds lovely except that he has trouble with the third valve sticking. His teacher at present is a trombonist so doesn't know anything about valves so I wondered if anyone here could give us any advice? The other valves are OK, but the third one will sometimes stick in the middle of a piece (including in his exam ), and seems to need oiling every time before he plays. Is there anything we can do?

replace the teacher for one who knows something about valves for a start! How can he/she expect to teach your son anything on a valved instrument if he/she knows nothing about it? that's appalling!

With regard to the valve, make sure that before you put more oil on you remove the old oil with a lint free cloth so that it is clean. Also, what make of instrument is it and what oil are you using and do you unscrew the valve and remove it from its casing to oil?

Unfortunately we have just changed teacher, and the one we got is the one supplied by the LEA music service.

I take the valve out and clean it before adding new valve oil. The horn is from John Packer (JP 072) and the valve oil just says "2000 Valve Oil" on it - I can't find a make or anything. The other valves aren't a problem - not are the ones on my other son's trumpet - so I don't think the oil can be at fault.

Have you checked the valve isn't slightly bent? I have had incidences where this has been the cause of a sticking valve when oiling hasn't helped.

How would I tell if it was bent? It works fine some of the time... but has been intermittently sticky since we got it.

Hold it up with one of the others and see if it appears slightly bent. Even a slight curve can make all the difference.

Was it bought new? I would be inclined to bring it into the store you bought it from and get their opinion. Any shop worth their salt would try and help you with it.

As an aside, I'm sure it isn't the case with you and I am unfamiliar with the Packer instruments but I know that my Yamahas can stick a bit if not played regularly, sort of it's own way of telling on you!!

agree with previous comment what kind of brass teacher is he when he knows nothing about valve instruments, noe to the problem, sometimes to much oil can be the problem with sticking valves, oil gets to thick and can cause problems try cleaning the valve and start with just a tiny amount of oil, until you think the problem is no more tried this myself many times and it has worked, good luck

In my experience, valves stick because:

1) There is a build up of fine dirt or residue,
2) The valves are not made from good material, resulting in the plating flaking off or tarnishing easily,
3) The valve casing is dented or mishaped, due to the tubing having been knocked,
4) The player is hooking his/her finger around the valve when not using it,
5) The player is not pushing the valve down correctly, ie: directly from above (and not off to the side0 and with the end of the finger, not half way along.

It may sound odd, but sitting dodgy valves in a glass of Coca Cola for 20mins or so and then giving them a good rinse can strip off any troublesome tarnish.

I've found that a good quality valve oil often sorts out lttle problems. I swear by 'Blue Juice'.

Finally, give the poor teacher a break! If he, indeed, knew nothing about valves, he wouldn't have the job. Trombonists are usually very knowledgable and self-effacing people. I know this 'cos I am one!!!

Not necessarily if he works for the LEA! Believe me it's true in some areas of the country.